Gore a future Hall of Famer, Harbaugh says

Gore rushed for 86 yards Sunday and surpassed 1,000 yards for the seventh time in his nine-year NFL career. It’s a career destined to culminate with Gore’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Harbaugh said.

“Yes, I truly believe that,” Harbaugh said.

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— Cornerback Tarell Brown played more than half the defensive snaps against the Buccaneers, and he held up fine, Harbaugh said.

Brown played Sunday for the first time since he suffered an injury to his ribs against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 17.

“He was another guy that came in there and contributed right away,” Harbaugh said. “There was no rust factor and he did a lot of good things.”

— Cornerback Michael Thomas went from the 49ers practice squad to a starring role for the Miami Dolphins in less than a week, and Harbaugh enjoyed the ride from afar.

Thomas’ late-game heroics for the Dolphins included a break up of a potential game-winning touchdown pass and a game-clinching interception of a Tom Brady pass in the end zone.

“It brought a smile to everybody’s face as soon as we started seeing the highlights on the plane,” Harbaugh said.

He said there are few players he has enjoyed coaching as much as Thomas, who accepted a promotion from the Dolphins on Dec. 9.